Wozniacki to face Sharapova, Nadal up against del Potro

Sharapova vs. Wozniacki in final – Maria Sharapova beat fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko to reach the final of the women's tournament at Indian Wells, California.

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Sharapova vs. Wozniacki in final4 photos

Sharapova vs. Wozniacki in final – Sharapova's victory meant she will return to second in the world rankings above last year's champion Victoria Azarenka, who withdrew from her quarterfinal against Caroline Wozniacki due to injury.

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Sharapova vs. Wozniacki in final4 photos

Sharapova vs. Wozniacki in final – Wozniacki, the 2011 champion, reached her third final in four years at the hard-court tournament after coming from behind to beat Angelique Kerber of Germany in three sets.

Story highlights

Maria Sharapova will play fellow former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki in final

Sharapova defeats fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko in semis to reach title match again

Wozniacki, the 2011 winner, reaches final at Indian Wells for third time in four years

Rafael Nadal reaches final of men's event after beating Tomas Berdych on Saturday

It will be former world No. 1 against former world No. 1 when Maria Sharapova lines up against Caroline Wozniacki in the women's final at Indian Wells on Sunday -- a tale of two careers that have headed in opposite directions.

While Sharapova completed her recovery from longterm injury problems by completing her collection of grand slam titles at last year's French Open, Wozniacki is still waiting for her first major crown as she battles to remain among the game's top 10.

Sharapova returned to second in the rankings following Friday's 6-4 6-3 semifinal victory over fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko, as another former No. 1 -- defending champion Victoria Azarenka -- slipped down after pulling out of her quarterfinal clash with Wozniacki due to an ankle injury.

The Dane, meanwhile, battled into her third final in four years at the Californian hard-court tournament as she came from behind to overcome German fourth seed Angelique Kerber 2-6 6-4 7-5.

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Sharapova: It's a special victory

In the men's tournament, Rafael Nadal has reached his fourth successive final since making his comeback from longterm injury after beating sixth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych 6-4 7-5 in the first of Saturday's semifinals.

"It's completely unexpected," said Nadal, who won two out of three clay events before heading to the U.S.

"To be in the final ... it's a big surprise but I'm here and I'm very, very happy."

The Spaniard will face Juan Martin del Potro, who eliminated World No 1. Novak Djokovic 4-6 6-4 6-4 to end the Serb's 22-match winning streak.

"He's a big challenge for me also," del Potro told reporters of Nadal. "He will want to win this tournament, for sure, and it's going to be very interesting match."

Djokovic had won 17 matches since the start of the year, which included his run to a fourth Australian Open crown and the ATP title in Dubai.

"It happens," Djokovic told reporters. "All the credit to my opponent today. He deserved to win because he was more composed in the important moments and he played the right shots.

"He stepped into the court, where, on the other side, me, I made a lot of unforced errors and was at back of the court too passive. It's sport."